He was the only member of the “All Games Crew” to make the top five. While Micah Potter and Joey Hauser were good, they just missed the cut. Colbey Ross, to his credit, not only played in all eight games this summer across Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, but he actually improved his play.
He went from 7.3 to 12.3 points per game from league to league. His shooting fell off some but he also took more shots with the rash of injuries to the Jazz. All in total, however, he averaged 10.38 points across both leagues, on shooting splits of .431/.333/.739.
He also showcased his dynamic skillset, pulling down nearly three rebounds per game, while dishing out nearly five assists per game. And while his offense was solid, his defense and motor were even more impressive. Not everyone is going to be a star in the NBA but you can find a space on a team by being a gritty type of player. That was what Ross was during his stretch of Summer League games.
He didn’t blow anyone away on offense but his skills on that side of the court, plus his grinder-style play on defense should make him someone to watch.
this offseason</a> and overall did pretty well. Unlike most NBA teams, the Jazz play in two different Summer Leagues, one in Utah and one in Las Vegas. It’s the one in Vegas that everyone just refers to as “Summer League”, as it’s where all 30 franchises send teams to compete.</p>
<p>The Salt Lake City Summer League is now in its 8th consecutive year of action and is held across three days in early July. In the 2023 offering, the Jazz invited the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Philadelphia 76ers to play. The Jazz won just one game out of three, so it wasn’t their best showing.</p>
<p>In the Vegas Summer League, the Jazz went 4-1, and were much better, even making the playoffs. Overall, the Jazz went 5-3 during the summer, and we’re going to be looking at the five best players from those eight games. Sadly, we’re going to be limited in our options, as the Jazz didn’t have two of their most anticipated players; rookies Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaug. Both of whom missed the Summer League due to injuries.</p>
<p>Fellow rookie Keyonte George also went down during the summer series but he put in enough time to warrant consideration.</p>
<p>We’ll be looking at their play across both sets of leagues, amassing all eight possible games. That said, only four players played in all eight games; Micah Potter, Joey Hauser, Taevion Kinsey, and Colbey Ross.</p>
<p>While it’s not great to see so many guys miss any amount of time across just eight games, the Summer League isn’t worth possibly developing a serious injury over. So with that, let’s look at our top five players from the Utah Jazz’s summer, in descending order.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a>
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was even highlight-worthy.</a></p>
<p>That said, Agabji did not impress from the floor as well as others. He played well enough in Salt Lake City, putting up shooting splits of .375/.414/.500, but not nearly as well as he did in Las Vegas, .419/.316/.750. Seeing his three-point shot dip was not good, however.</p>
<p>All in all, his five-game performance was fine, .391/.375/.600, considering that the young shooter only had a few games, and shooters like Agbaji need a lot more time to find a rhythm with their shots.</p>
<p>Still, he averaged 17.40 points, 8.60 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in the summer season, so even though his shooting wasn’t Pete Maravich-like, it doesn’t mean he was a bad player. He absolutely delivered when he was on the court and just because he wasn’t hitting at a consistent clip, doesn’t mean that he wasn’t super impactful on both ends of the court.</p>
<p>Agbaji will likely have a much bigger role in the offense this season, and fans may see a much more efficient version when that happens.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 4 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-90590 size-full" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1706,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1552013109-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1706" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1552013109-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1552013109-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1552013109-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1552013109-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 16: Colbey Ross #44 of the Utah Jazz drives against Jermaine Samuels Jr. #57 of the Houston Rockets in the second half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h2>4. Colbey Ross</h2>
<p>He was the only member of the “All Games Crew” to make the top five. While Micah Potter and Joey Hauser were good, they just missed the cut. Colbey Ross, to his credit, not only played in all eight games this summer across Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, but he <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/18/how-many-open-roster-spots-do-the-utah-jazz-currently-have/">actually improved his play.</a></p>
<p>He went from 7.3 to 12.3 points per game from league to league. His shooting fell off some but he also took more shots with the rash of injuries to the Jazz. All in total, however, he averaged 10.38 points across both leagues, on shooting splits of .431/.333/.739.</p>
<p>He also showcased his dynamic skillset, pulling down nearly three rebounds per game, while dishing out nearly five assists per game. And while his offense was solid, his defense and motor were even more impressive. Not everyone is going to be a star in the NBA but you can find a space on a team by being a gritty type of player. That was what Ross was during his stretch of Summer League games.</p>
<p>He didn’t blow anyone away on offense but his skills on that side of the court, plus his grinder-style play on defense should make him someone to watch.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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shooting splits.</a></p>
<p>Juzang could not miss, and he was a huge reason why the Jazz went 4-0 in Vegas with him getting minutes. He had some of the best shooting splits of the summer, hitting 51% from the floor, and 51.5% from three. Because he took so many jump shots, he didn’t get a lot of free-throw attempts, just 2.6 per game, so his free throw percentage is a bit misleading with just 62.5% from the line.</p>
<p>Despite a lackluster free throw percentage, seeing him hit 50% from three regularly was impressive and it was the major reason why the Jazz wanted to bring him back for the 2023-2024 season while on a two-way deal.</p>
<p>Few guys were as good as Juzang this summer.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-90421 size-full" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1133,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1506111715.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1133" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1506111715.jpeg 1600w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1506111715-768x544.jpeg 768w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1506111715-1536x1088.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 5: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up the court against DJ Steward #36 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of their NBA Summer League game July 5, 2023 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2. Keyonte George</h2>
<p>There’s no doubt in my mind that Keyonte George would be higher on this list if it wasn’t for the injury he suffered during Game #3 of the Las Vegas portion of the Summer League. George, who is going to vie for playing time from Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton, was a bucket-getter in Las Vegas.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>While George struggled in Utah (.378/.294/.824), he soared in Las Vegas (.523/.444/.636), and had some solid stats across both leagues; putting up 18.67 points, 5.33 assists and 3.67 rebounds per game, all while running <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/18/how-many-open-roster-spots-do-the-utah-jazz-currently-have/">around on defense.</a></p>
<p>George really impressed many folks with his play in Las Vegas and while his Salt Lake City play isn’t anything to write home about, it’s also easy to explain it away as nerves from a rookie. After all, despite five players being on this list, only one, George, is a rookie.</p>
<p>Everyone before and after George has had at least one year’s worth of action in the NBA. So we can excuse a rough start. That said, it’ll be interesting if this intensity we saw in Summer League carries over to training camp. As that will decide if he takes time away from Sexton or Clarkson; or if he even takes their spot.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-90512 size-full" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1586,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1510936202-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1586" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1510936202-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1510936202-420x260.jpeg 420w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1510936202-768x476.jpeg 768w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1510936202-1536x952.jpeg 1536w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1510936202-2048x1269.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 6: Luka Samanic #19 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up the court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the NBA Summer League game at the Delta Center on July 6, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>1. Luka Samanic</h2>
<p>It’s hard to deny that Luka Samanic wasn’t the best player for the Jazz across both Summer League outings, even if he did miss two games. For the six games, across two leagues, he had a stat line of 15.00 points, 6.83 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.</p>
<p>He was a Swish army knife of chaos on offense, and he really did a good job carrying the team when others were going down with injury.</p>
<p>Like with Keyonte George, Samanic played better in Las Vegas than in Salt Lake City, though he did shoot about the same from three in both places (.364 in Salt Lake, .368 in Las Vegas). That said, he did shoot far more in Vegas, shooting nearly double the three-point attempts. A strong sign that he can be an effective volume <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/18/how-many-open-roster-spots-do-the-utah-jazz-currently-have/">shooter in the NBA.</a></p>
<p>He’s the only player on the Summer League squad with a partially-non guaranteed contract, meaning the Jazz could easily cut him if a better option came along that fit their budget, so his showcasing his dynamic and versatile skillset was necessary for him to keep his job with the Jazz long term.</p>
<p>It’s safe to say that not only did Samanic do enough to warrant his contract being kept all season, but he should get some rotation minutes after his summer performances.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Pros and cons of Utah Jazz making bold move for Tyler Herro" data-url="https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/17/pros-cons-utah-jazz-making-bold-move-tyler-herro/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/19/3-best-utah-jazz-players-2023-summer-league/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/17/pros-cons-utah-jazz-making-bold-move-tyler-herro/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Pros and cons of Utah Jazz making bold move for Tyler Herro </a> </div>
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